Navigating Judicial Elections: Understanding Michigan’s Non-Partisan Judges

The election season may feel like a marathon with its endless ads, debates, and polling. As we venture beyond the primaries, we head towards November with a similar political landscape in sight.

While the primary results are being analyzed by experts here, at The Mids, we continue to address pressing questions from our audience. A frequent query concerns the often-misunderstood topic of judges.

Understanding Judicial Elections

Michigan’s judicial elections present a unique challenge to voters. The non-partisan nature of these positions often leads to confusion, as judicial candidates do not typically appear on primary ballots unless there are more than twice the number of candidates as there are seats available.

The situation becomes more complex with the state Supreme Court, where candidates are nominated by political parties at their conventions, yet appear on the ballot labeled as “non-partisan.” This paradox is simply a byproduct of Michigan’s unique electoral process.

This year, the Michigan Supreme Court has two open positions. For detailed coverage, click here. As the general election nears, expect more interviews with the candidates.

Researching Local Judicial Races

Local judicial races, particularly in circuit and district courts, present an even greater challenge due to their low-profile nature. To gain insights on how to navigate these elections, we sought advice from Tom Boyd, the State Court Administrator.

“It’s not easy,” Boyd shared. “The judicial branch is not a representative branch of government.” Unlike candidates for legislative positions, judicial candidates do not provide the same depth of information, making it difficult to align their views with voters’.

Boyd emphasized that a judge’s role is to apply facts to the law, making competency the key attribute to evaluate. He suggests checking the State Bar of Michigan for general information on candidates, accessible here. Additionally, the Attorney Discipline Board can be a resource to check for any disciplinary actions against them.

For incumbents, public complaints can be reviewed at the Judicial Tenure Commission. Boyd also recommends local news outlets and online searches for previous case coverage. Furthermore, judges’ financial filings can be accessed through local county clerk websites.

Conducting thorough research is essential, but with dedication, voters can navigate the complexities of judicial elections.

With only three months until the election, stay informed and prepared. Next, we’ll explore a ballot question that appears only once every 16 years: a potential Constitutional Convention.